Shrub rose plant named ‘AUSbite’

ABSTRACT

Shrub/climber rose plant having soft pink, cupped flowers filled with numerous petals; vigorous, bushy growth and a good fragrance with a hint of myrrh.

Genus and Species: Rosa hybrida

Variety Denomination: ‘AUSbite’

ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of a shrubrose plant named ‘AUSbite’ which was originated by me by crossing thevariety ‘AUScot’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,215, with an unnamed seedling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new rose varietyhaving soft pink flowers, good fragrance, and high disease resistance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective was substantially achieved, along with other desirableimprovements, as evidenced by the following unique combination ofcharacteristics that are outstanding in the new variety and thatdistinguish it from its parents, as well as from all other varieties ofwhich I am aware:

1. Soft pink, cupped flowers with numerous petals.

2. Vigorous, bushy growth.

3. Good fragrance with a hint of myrrh.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding, as performed atAlbrighton, England, shows that the foregoing and all othercharacteristics and distinctions come true to form and are establishedand transmitted through succeeding propagations.

Comparison with Parents

‘AUScot’ (Abraham Darby), is a well rounded shrub bearing large apricotcup-shaped flowers. The female parent has large globular flowers of adeeper pink than AUSbite.

Comparison with Similar Variety

‘AUStop’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,423) has blush pink blooms on ashrubby, twiggy plant, whereas ‘AUSbite’ has soft pink blooms and formsa substantial bushy shrub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of a new rose cultivar withcolor descriptions using terminology in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society (London) Colour Chart (2001), except whereordinary dictionary significance of color is indicated.

Parentage:

Seed parent.—Unnamed Seeding. (Unpatented).

Pollen parent.—‘AUScot’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,215).

FLOWER

Observations made from plants commencing at one year of age grown in agarden environment at Albrighton, England.

Blooming Habit: Recurrent.

Bud:

Size.—About 2.6 cm long and 2 cm in diameter when the petals start tounfurl.

Form.—The bud form is globular.

Color.—When sepals first divide, bud color is Yellow-Green Group 144A.When half blown, the upper sides of the petals are Purple Group 75B; andthe lower sides of the petals are Purple Group 75D.

Sepals.—Color: Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 144A. Lower surface:Yellow-Green Group 144A. Length: 2.9 cm. Width: 1.3 cm. Shape: Pointed.Surface texture: Hairy edges. Upper surface: Slightly hairy. Lowersurface: Smooth. There are three normally appendaged sepals. There aretwo unappendaged sepals with hairy edges.

Receptacle.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 144A. Shape: Pitcher. Size:Medium, about 1.5 cm long×1.2 cm wide. Surface: Smooth.

Peduncle.—Length: Medium, averaging about 5 cm. Surface: Prickly. Color:Yellow-Green Group 144B. Strength: Erect.

Bloom:

Size.—Large. Average open diameter is about 7.1 cm.

Borne.—Several together in flat clusters of fifteen blooms, the clustersbeing of irregular shape.

Stems.—Strength: Strong. Average length is about 50 cm with a diameterof 0.6 cm.

Form.—When first open: Cupped. Permanence: Outer petals curl back.

Petalage.—Number of petals under normal conditions: 200.

Color.—The upper sides of the petals are Purple Group 75D at theiroutermost portion, Purple Group 75C in the middle and Purple Group 75Btowards the base. The reverse sides of the petals are Purple Group 75Dat the outermost portion and Purple Group 75B towards the base. The baseof each petal has a Yellow Group 9B spot. The major color on the upperside is Purple Group 75B.

Variegations.—None.

Discoloration.—The general tonality at the end of the first day: Nochange. At the end of the third day: Fading to Purple Group 75C.

Fragrance.—Moderate with a hint of myrrh.

Petals:

Texture.—Thick.

Size.—Width: 3.7 cm. Length: 3.8 cm.

Surface.—Smooth, both upper and lower.

Shape.—Round; notched. Margin: Weak reflexing. Apex Shape: Rounded. BaseShape: Pointed.

Form.—Tips slightly recurved.

Arrangement.—Informal.

Petaloids.—Tucked in calyx.

Persistence.—Petals hang on and dry.

Lastingness.—On the plant: Fair (about 4 days). As a cut flower: Short(about 3 days).

Reproductive parts:

Stamens.—Number: 96. Length: 0.2 cm. Arrangement: Tucked in calyx.Anthers: Length: 0.2 cm. Color: Yellow-Orange Group 14A. Filaments:Color: Yellow-Green Group 145C. Length: 0.4 cm. Pollen: Color:Yellow-Orange Group 17B.

Pistils.—Number: 15. Styles: Color: Yellow-Green Group 145A. Length: 0.6cm. Stigmas: Color: Yellow-Green Group 150C. Length: 0.1 cm.

Hips.—Color: Green Group 141B. Shape: Cupped. Size: 2 cm in diameter.

PLANT

Form.—Shrub.

Growth.—Vigorous and branching.

Age at maturity.—Two years.

Mature plant.—Height: 120 cm in England; two meters or greater in U.S.Width: 90 cm

Rootstock.—Dr. Huey in the United States. Rosa dumetorum laxa for theobserved plants in the United Kingdom.

Foliage: Number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves: 7.

Size.—Medium. About 17.5 cm long×13 cm wide.

Quantity.—Normal.

Color.—New foliage: Upper side: Yellow-Green Group 146B. Lower side:Yellow-Green Group 146C. Old foliage: Upper side: Green Group 139A.Lower side: Yellow-Green Group 147B.

Leaflets:

Size.—About 7.2 cm long×4.7 cm wide.

Shape.—Broadly oval and pointed oval.

Base shape.—Cordate.

Apex shape.—Cuspidate.

Texture.—Leathery.

Edge.—Serrated.

Serrations.—Double and small.

Petiole.—Color: Greyed-Red Group 178B.

Petiole rachis.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 144B. Underside: Prickles.

Auricle shape.—Long point.

Stipules.—Length: 3 cm; smooth.

Disease resistance.—Resistant to mildew, blackspot and rust under normalgrowing conditions.

Pest persistence.—Not tested.

Vein color.—Yellow-Green Group 146B.

Venation pattern.—Branching.

Wood:

New wood.—Color: Greyed-Orange Group 176C. Bark: Smooth.

Old wood.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 144A. Bark: Rough.

Prickles:

Quantity.—On main canes from base: 62 per 70 cm length. On laterals frommain canes: 8 per 40 cm length.

Form.—Hooked downward.

Length.—8 mm.

Color when young.—Greyed-Orange Group 175B.

Color when mature.—Greyed-Orange Group 176C.

Small prickles:

Quantity.—On main stalks: Many. On laterals: Many.

Color.—When young: Greyed-Red Group 178B. When mature: Greyed-OrangeGroup 175B.

Winter hardiness: Not tested.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of theshrub/climber class, substantially as herein shown and described,characterized particularly by its soft pink, cupped flowers filled withnumerous petals; vigorous, bushy growth, and good fragrance with a hintof myrrh.